Summer is over, but the memory of the many fires across Europe remains. They struck particularly hard in the south, but also in the High Fens nature reserve, where ecologically precious peatlands burned.
The hottest summer since temperature records began has once again shown us the effects of climate change. Although Luxembourg itself was spared the fires, smoke from neighbouring Belgium drifted across our country.
The past few months have reminded us of the urgency of the situation. The DP takes these challenges very seriously. Our party is determined to build on and strengthen the government’s work in this area over the past thirteen years. Six years ago, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make buses, trains and trams free. An important step, both practically and symbolically, which put our country in the headlines worldwide. Nation branding at its finest!
Meanwhile, the National Energy and Climate Plan has set clear and ambitious targets: to more than halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with 2005, and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Through the Klimabonus housing and mobility schemes, and the work of the Klima-Agence, we have supported thousands of people and many businesses in switching to renewable energy and more climate-friendly mobility. Following the introduction of automatic prefinancing for solar panel installations, the same mechanism will become available for heat pumps next year.
But this summer has once again shown that we cannot afford to ease our efforts. Quite the opposite: we must accelerate climate action to help our country adapt and become more resilient to crises.
We must, for example, simplify approval procedures for wind and solar energy projects. Other goals include expanding public transport and cycling infrastructure. Technological innovation is crucial. Businesses must receive support for their green investments. Progress on climate policy requires policymakers and businesses to work together.
At municipal level, we must, of course, create more green spaces and use water more carefully. That means more trees, less sealed ground and more clean energy. We want more places where people can meet and enjoy some fresh air.
The DP will make every effort to bring responsibility and freedom together in this area. We cannot simply limit ourselves to reacting. We must take the initiative and put concrete measures into practice, rather than waiting until it is too late. The DP will do so in its characteristic pragmatic way, for people and for the economy.
(Opinion piece “Tribune libre” by MP Luc Emering, 5 October 2026)
